Centrifugal ball propelling device



Nov. 12, 1968 R. E. LEE

CENTRIFUGAL BALL PROPELLING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 5. 1966 INVENTOR. ROBERT 5. LEE BY M W AI'TOFPNEY Nov. 12, 1968 R. E. LEE 3,410,258

CENTRIFUGAL BALL PROPELLING DEVICE Filed Aug. 5, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 260 FIG. 13

INVENTOR. ROBER 7' E. L E E FIG. 74

ATTOR/VFY Nov. 12, 1968 R. E. LEE 3,410,258

CENTRIFUGAL BALL PROPELLING DEVICE Filed Aug. 5, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 3; 3 FIG. /7 $119.21

INVENTOR.

ROBERT E LEE BY W MM A T TORN E Y5 United States Patent 3,410,258 CENTRIFUGAL BALL PROPELLING DEVICE Robert E. Lee, Box 99, North Branch, Minn. 55056 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 351,043, Mar. 11, 1964. This application Aug. 3, 1966, Ser. No. 569,927

10 Claims. (Cl. 1246) This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 351,043 filed Mar. 11, 1964 now patent 3,294,077.

This invention relates to improved apparatus for propelling a ball, and more particularly it concerns novel structure adapted to propel a golf ball or similar article into a receptacle for amusement or game purposes.

The general object of the invention is to improve ball propelling game apparatus. Other objects of the invention are: to provide improved ball propelling apparatus including means for holding a ball in position at the end of an arm until the arm is swung from a rearward position through an are into a forward position; to provide apparatus of this type including means for releasing the ball holding means when the arm is in a forwardly disposed position whereby to take advantage of the kinetic energy in the arm without subjecting the ball to an impact force or sudden blow at the moment of its release; to provide a ball propelling device characterized by lightweight design, economy of manufacture and ease of operation; and in general to provide an improved ball propelling device which is highly versatile and dependable in operation, unique in the coaction of its parts, and rugged and long wearing in service.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following detailed description or representative embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein a preferred and an alternate embodiment of the device are shown by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary side view of one form of the invention, the dotted lines indicating the ball propelling arm in a ball release position;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary rear view of the structure shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partially in section, taken on the line 44 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary view, partially in section, taken on the lines 5-5 of FIGURE 4, showing the pawl member in one position;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken on the line 66 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 showing the pawl member in a second position;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken on the line 8-8 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary side view of a second form of the invention, the dotted lines indicating the ball propelling arm in ball holding and ball release positions;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary rear view of the structure shown in FIGURE 9;

FIGURES 11, 12 and 13 are enlarged fragmentary views, partially in section, showing the linkage elements in three positions;

FIGURE 14 is an enlarged fragmentary view of an alternate pawl member;

FIGURE 15 is a view taken along the line 1515 of FIGURE 14.

FIGURE 16 is a side elevational view of a further 3,410,258 Patented Nov. 12, 1968 embodiment of the invention with the ball propelling arm shown in broken lines in a rearwardly inclined ball-hold ing retracted position and a forwardly inclined ball release position portions thereof being broken away;

FIGURE 17 is a front elevational view of the device of FIGURE 16 portions thereof being broken away;

FIGURE 18 is a rear elevational view thereof;

FIGURE 19 is a sectional view on the line 19-19 of FIGURE 18;

FIGURE 20 is a sectional view on the line 20--20 of FIGURE 16, and

FIGURE 21 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed view of the upper end of the ball arm and its connection with rotatable lateral sleeve and the arcuate link arms.

Reference in particular is made to the embodiment of FIGURES 16-20. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG- URES 1 and 7 representing the preferred form of apparatus according to the invention, a yoke-shaped frame is provided having a pair of spaced parallel legs 102 that are connected at their upper ends by a curved portion 104. The bottom of legs 102 are connected by a laterally extending support 106 which terminates at each end in a pair of opposed foot rests 108, 110. A pair of laterally spaced generally forwardly extending struts 112, 114 are joined by a pair of downwardly and forwardly inclined struts 116, 118, which are secured at their upper ends to legs 102, to form a chute-like framework 119 for the device. Extending upwardly and for wardly from support 106 is a curved shield plate 120 which is connected at its forward end to the forward end of framework 119.

Secured to the top of frame 100 is a centrally vertically positioned tubular member 124 within which is slidably mounted for reciprocal movements with respect to frame 100 a plunger 126. Plunger 126 is provided with an elongated shank 128 equipped at its upper end with a laterally extending handle 130 having hand portions 132, 134 on each side of shank 128. The lower end of plunger 126 is slotted and drilled, as at 127.

In the preferred form of the device, frame 100 is equipped with a laterally extending member 136 connecting legs 102 near the top of frame 100. Also provided is a semicircular support 138 that is connected at each end thereof to legs 102 and which extends rearwardly of frame 100 at the level of member 136. A generally hollow ball-propelling arm 140 is mounted for swinging movements within and through frame 100 by means of a hollow laterally extending upper portion 142. A forwardly extending clevis type link 144 is secured to the top of arm 140 at its juncture with portion 142. Operatively connecting clevis link 144 and the lower end 127 of plunger 126 is a link member 146 having pivotal connections 148, 150. The rear of arm 140 is provided with a ball supporting holder 152 consisting of a pair of downwardly diverging slender rigid supports 154 connected at their lower ends to each side of a ball receiving ring 156 which is mounted just above the lower end of arm 140. Above the upper ends of supports 154, arm 140 is provided with a longitudinal slot 158 which communicates with its interior. On the forward surface of arm 140 a similar longitudinal slot 160 is formed through the walls of arm 140 an dextends below the upper end of supports 154 to the lower end of arm 140'.

Pivotally secured to the lower end of arm 140, by means of a pin 162, is a ball engaging pawl member 164. Pawl member 164 is annular in shape and overlies the end of arm 140 into the area of the ring 156. Its forward surface 166, inclined upwardly with respect to arm 140; is threadedly equipped with a short rigid stop member 168 that is postioned to enter slot 160 adjacent the end of arm 140. A jam nut 170 serves to hold stop member 168 in a desired position within slot 160. A slender elongated push rod 172, slidably carried within arm 140 adjacent its lower end, has a bevelled lower end 174 which is engageable with stop member 168. Push rod 172 is normally biased into contact with stop member 168 by means of a spring 176, which is connected at its lower end to a bracket 178 on arm 140 and at its upper end to a built up section 180 on push rod 172 that rides in slot 160 out of the plane of arm 140, Push rod 172 is connected at its upper end to a flexible elongated tension member 182 which passes therefrom upwardly within arm 148 through slot 158 to connect with support 138 of frame 100 by means of chain member 184. Chain member 184 is equipped at its upper end with an adjustable screw and nut combination 186 which is attached to the center of support 138.

As shown in FIGURES 5 and '7, when arm 140 is rotated rearwardly by the downward motion of plunger 126 and link member 146, spring 176 urges pawl member 164 into engagement with a ball disposed in ring 156 thus preventing the ball from dropping through. When arm 140 is swing forwardly into a ball propelling position, pawl member 164 is rotated about pin 162 by virtue of the pull exerted upon push rod 172 by flexible members 182 and 184. The combined length of the flexible members 182, 184 and push rod 172 is such that pawl member 164 is rotated out of the area of ring 156 thereby permitting the ball to be propelled therefrom. The distance and trajectory of the ball can be governed by the amount of force imparted to plunger 126 and the adjustable length of chain member 184 permits the pawl action to be precisely set to assure optimum results. Wear upon stop member 1168 may be accounted for by its threaded connection with pawl member 164.

FIGURES 8 to 12 illustrated a modified form of the invention wherein a yoke-shaped frame 200 is provided having a pair of spaced parallel legs 202 that are connected at their upper ends by a curved portion 204. The bottom of legs 202 are connected by a laterally extending support 206 which terminates at each end in a pair of opposed foot rests 208, 210. A pair of laterally spaced generally forwardly extending struts 212, 214 are joined by a pair of downwardly and forwardly inclined struts 216, 218, which are secured at their upper ends to legs 202, to form a chute-like framework 219. An upwardly concave shield plate 221 is also provided, Secured to the top of frame 200 is a centrally vertically positioned tubular member 224 within which is slidably mounted for reciprocal movements with respect to frame 200 a plunger 226. Plunger 226 is provided with an elongated shank 228 equipped at its upper with a laterally extending handle 230 having hand portions 232, 234 on each side of shank 228. The lower end of plunger 226 is slotted and drilled, as at 227. The foregoing construction is substantially equivalent to the same elements shown and described in connection with the preferred form of the invention.

In this form of the device a hollow ball-propelling arm 230 is mounted for swinging movements within and through frame 200 by means of a hollow journal member 232 forming the upper end of arm 230 and carried by a laterally extending support 234 connecting the legs 202 of frame 200 near the top thereof. A forwardly extending clevis type link 236 is secured to the top of arm 230. Operatively connecting the lower end 227 of plunger 226 with link 236 is link member 240 having pivotal connections 242, 244. The rear surface of link member 240 is provided with an irregular shaped cam surface 246, the purpose of which will become apparent as the description proceeds.

The rear of arm 230 is equipped with a'ball receiving support 250 located just above its lower free end. Support 250 consists of a ball receiving ring 252 and a shield member 254 extending upwardly therefrom into contact with arm 230. The lower free end of arm 230 is slotted longitudinally, as at 256, to receive a pivotal ball pawl memher 260 which extends into the area of the ring 252. Slidably contained within arm 230 is an elongated push rod 262 which is engageable with the upper surface of pawl member 260 to urge it into the area of ring 256. The upper end of push rod 262 is provided with an enlarged disc like head 266 that surroundingly abuttingly engages the top of arm 230. A spring 268 is secured to the rear.

of arm 230, as at 270, and to the rear of head 266, as at 272, to normally urge push rod 262 into contact with pawl member 260. The forward under-surface of head 266 overlies the cam surface 246 of link member 240, which is so designed that when plunger 226 is actuated in a downward direction head 266 is displaced upwardly thus moving push rod 262 upwardly within arm 230 and cansing pawl member 260 to rotate out of the area of ring 256 whereby to release a ball therefrom. As shown in FIGURES 10 to 12, when plunger 226 is moved into its lowest position, the cam surface 246 of link member 240 is out of contact with head 266 and the pawl member 260 holds the ball in ring 256 while arm 230 is rotated rearwardly and upwardly. When plunger 226 is in an intermediate vertical position the cam surface 246 of link member 240 starts to ride upon the undersurface of head 266. Further upward displacement of plunger 226 results in the movement of head 266 upwardly against the pressure of spring 268 as arm 230 is pivoted forwardly into a ball release position. This action is continued throughout the ball release part of the action so that by the time arm 230 has reached its forward apogee, cam surface 246 has completely moved push rod 262 out of contact with pawl member 260 thus permitting the ball to be released through ring 256 with the full kinetic energy imparted during the sequence.

In FIGURES 14 and 15, an alternate pawl member 200 is shown, which includes a flat generally semi-circular shaped body that is pivotally mounted within slot 202 in arm 204. The lower end of pawl member is cut, as at 206, to extend into the area of ball support ring 208 and is equipped with a laterally extending pin 210 on each side to engage and hold a ball. A notch 212 in pawl member 200 engages the push rod 214. A stop pin 216 serves to limit the rotation of pawl member 200 beyond the area necessary to hold a ball in the manner described.

Although the invention has been illustrated and described with reference to the two embodiments thereof, it should be understood that it is in no way limited to the details of such embodiments, but is capable of numerous modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

Referring now to the embodiment of FIGURES 16 21, the ball propelling devic A illustrated therein includes the lateral base bar support 270. Also provided is the yoke-shaped frame 272 which includes the spaced parallel legs 274 and 278 connected at the upper ends thereof with the arcuate portion 280 with the lower ends of the legs 274 and 278 secured to the base bar 270. The support base bar extends laterally beyond the legs 274 and 278 to provide foot rest portions 282 and 284.

Further provided is the arcuate flat shield plate 286 secured at its inner end to the support bar 270 with the outer end curving upwardly. Secured to the outer end of the arcuate shield plate 286 and the legs 274 and 278 are the upper support struts 288 and 290. The arcuate plate 286 is further supported by the lower struts 292 and 294 connected to the outer end of the arcuate shield 286 and to the legs 274 and 278, respectively.

The numeral 296 designates a shaft on which is rotatably mounted the sleeve 298. The shaft 296 is connected at its ends to the legs 274 and 278 and extends therebetween. Also provided is the ball arm 300' the upper end of which is connected to the sleeve 298 thereby allowing the arm 300 to pivot about the axis of the shaft 296. The arm 300 is rectangular in cross section but may be of other formation. Extending outwardly of and at a right angle to the upper end of the ball arm 300 is the offset short arm 302. Further provided are the pair of link arms 304 and 306 each formed with the upper straight portion 308 and 310, respectively, and the angularly disposed lower portions 312 and 314, respectively. The lower ends of the link arms 304 and 306 are pivotally connected to the short arm 302 by means of the pin 316, and the upper ends of the link arms 304 and 306 are pivotally connected to lower end of the plunger 318 by means of the pin 320.

The plunger 318 is slidably mounted for reciprocal movement in the vertically disposed sleeve 322 secured to the forward portion of the arcuate portion 280 of the frame 272. Secured to the upper free end of the plunger 318 is the laterally extending handle 323. The numeral 324 designates an upper collar slidably mounted on the ball arm 300, and also slidably mounted on the ball arm 300 is the lower collar 326. The collars 324 and 326 are held in spaced relation on the ball arm 300 by means of the rod 328 secured at its upper end to the upper collar 324 and at its lower end to the lower collar 326 closely overlying the ball arm 300, particularly FIGURES 16 and 17.

Additionally provided is the ball ring 330 secured to the lower collar and normal to th longitudinal axis of the ball arm 300. Two struts, 332 and 334, are connected at the upper ends thereof to the upper collar 324 and at the lower ends to spaced points on the ball ring 330 to thereby firmly support the ring 330 and act as guides for placement of a ball B in the ring 330.

The numeral 336 designates a collar slidably mounted on the leg 278 and adjustably secured thereon by means of the allen screw 338. Extending from the collar 336 is the pin 340 and connected to the pin 340 is the upper end of the ball ring mount limiting means in the form of the link or chain 342 the lower end of the link 342 connected to the pin 344 secured to and extending from the upper collar 324. A coil spring 346 is provided which is mounted on the ball arm 300 between the short arm 302 and th upper collar normally biasing the upper collar 324 downwardly upon the ball arm 300 together with the lower collar 326 and the ball ring 330 secured thereto, the lower edge of the lower collar 326 bottoming out against the circuit stop 348 secured axially of and at the lower end of the ball arm 300. The diameter of the circular stop 348 and its proximity to the ring 330 is such that a ball B placed in the ball ring 330 will not fall through the ring but will rest upon the stop 348 particuarly at point X and be contained within the ring particularly as shown in FIGURE 17 and in the downward and rearward inclined position of FIGURE 16.

In the operation of the devic A, a ball B is placed in the ball ring 330 in abutting engagement with the stop 348 as illustrated in FIGURE 16 in full line vertical position and in FIGURES 17 and 18. To propel the ball B the handle 323 and plunger 318 connected thereto is pushed downwardly. As the plunger 318 is pushed downwardly the links 304 and 306 and the short arm offset 302 cause the ball arm 300 to pivot rearwardly from th full line position of FIGURE 16 to the broken line rearward position at the right of FIGURE 16. The plunger 318 is then pulled upwardly whereby the ball arm 300 and ring 330 and stop 348 travel in an arc to the forward ball release position shown in broken lines at the left of FIGURE 16. As the ball arm 300 approaches the broken line forward apogee release position at the left of FIGURE 16, the link 342, as a limit member, restrains the upper collar 324 andl ower collar 326 upon the ball arm thus drawing the ball ring 330' away from the stop 348 as the ball arm and stop pivot further whereby the ball B is free of the ring 330 and stop 348 and thereby flung upwardly and outwardly from th device A due to the kinetic energy built up in the ball arm and 6 ball. A ball may be lobbed with the device into holes in the ground in designated areas.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A ball propelling device comprising:

(a) an upright frame,

(b) a ball arm pivotally mounted on said frame and swingable from a rearwardly inclined ball-holding position to a forwardly inclined ball release position,

(c) said ball arm having stop means secured to the lower end thereof,

(d) aball ring,

(e) means for slidably mounting said ball ring on said ball arm for movement to and from said stop means,

(f) means for normally biasing said ball ring mounting means and ball ring thereon adjacent said stop means to retain a ball in said ring,

(g) a plunger carried by said frame and mounted for reciprocal movement thereon,

(h) pivotal link means operatively connecting the lower end of said plunger and the upper end of said ball arm,

(i) means for limiting th slidable movement of said ball ring mounting means on said ball arm when said ball arm is pivotally swung to a forward position to thereby separate said ball ring from said stop means against the action of said biasing means and allow the release of a ball from said ring and said stop means.

2. The device of claim 1 in which (a) said upright frame is yoke-shaped.

3. The device of claim 2 in which (a) said stop means is a disc member mounted normal to the axis of said ball arm.

4. The device of claim 3 in which (a) said ball ring mounting means includes collar means.

5. The device of claim 4 in which (a) said biasing means includes a coil spring mounted axially on said ball arm and interposed between said collar means and (b) shoulder means on said ball arm.

6. The device of claim 5 in which (a) the pivotal connection of said link means with the upper end of said ball arm is offset from the longitudinal axis thereof.

7. The device of claim 6 in which (a) said limiting means includes a link member connected to said collar means and said upright frame.

8. The device of claim 1 in which (a) the pivotal connection of said link means with the upper end of said ball arm is offset from the longitudinal axis thereof.

9. The device of claim 1 in which (a) said limiting means includes a link member connected to said ball rin-g mounting means and said upright frame.

10. The device of claim 1 in which (a) said ball ring mounting means includes collar means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 466,257 12/1891 De Quillfeldt 124-41 FOREIGN PATENTS 696,939 11/1964 Canada.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

T. ZACK, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A BALL PROPELLING DEVICE COMPRISING: (A) AN UPRIGHT FRAME, (B) A BALL ARM PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME AND SWINGABLE FROM A REARWARDLY INCLINED BALL-HOLDING POSITION TO A FORWARDLY INCLINED BALL RELEASE POSITION, (C) SAID BALL ARM HAVING STOP MEANS SECURED TO THE LOWER END THEREOF, (D) A BALL RING, (E) MEANS FOR SLIDABLY MOUNTING SAID BALL RING ON SAID BALL ARM FOR MOVEMENT TO AND FROM SAID STOP MEANS, (F) MEANS FOR NORMALLY BIASING SAID BALL RING MOUNTING MEANS AND BALL RING THEREON ADJACENT SAID STOP MEANS TO RETAIN A BALL IN SAID RING, (G) A PLUNGER CARRIED BY SAID FRAME AND MOUNTED FOR RECIPROCAL MOVEMENT THEREON, (H) PIVOTAL LINK MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTING THE LOWER END OF SAID PLUNGER AND THE UPPER END OF SAID BALL ARM, (I) MEANS FOR LIMITING THE SLIDABLE MOVEMENT OF SAID BALL RING MOUNTING MEANS ON SAID BALL ARM WHEN SAID BALL ARM IS PIVOTALLY SWUNG TO A FORWARD POSITION TO THEREBY SEPARATE SAID BALL RING FROM SAID STOP MEANS AGAINST THE ACTION OF SAID BIASING MEANS AND ALLOW THE RELEASE OF A BALL FROM SAID RING AND SAID STOP MEANS. 